OREANDA-NEWS. Toshiba Corporation announced Toshiba Hydro Power (Hanzhou) Co., Ltd. (THPC), a subsidiary in China, has won a major order from China's Sinohydro Resources Ltd. to supply three 80MW hydroelectric turbines and generators for the Nam Ou 5 hydro power plant on the River Nam Ou in Laos. THPC will design and manufacture the turbines and generators and start delivery in January 2014. The first unit is expected to enter operation in December 2015.

The contract was awarded to THPC after the comprehensive evaluation of Toshiba Group's extensive supply experience, advanced technology and high reliability. Following on from Nam Ngum 2 and Nam Ngiep 2, this is Toshiba Group's third major order for a hydro power plant in Laos.

Laos is using its rich water resources, most notably the Mekong River, to develop hydro power projects. The country, the battery of Southeast Asia, exports electricity to neighboring countries, including Thailand and Vietnam. Hydro power plants accounted for all of Laos's almost 2.8GW generation capacity in 2012, a figure that is expected to increase to 12.0GW by 2020.

In April this year, Toshiba established Toshiba Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (TATC) to promote and strengthen promotion of its social infrastructure business in Southeast Asia. Looking to the future, Toshiba will expand its hydro power plant business through TATC.